Aviva Premiership Matchday 2

This weekend the Premiership continued with teams either trying to counter or continue their opening weekend results. The interesting games are just going to keep coming. There were another couple of big games this weekend that kept us on our toes and I’m not even talking about the games that happened at Twickenham.

Gloucester 15 Saracens 17

Saracens will be pleased with this win. They did what needed to be done to win. Ellery looks like a great livewire to replace Strettle. He is showing that Saracens are playing good rugby. This week there opponents Gloucester fought back and they fought through the boot of Twelvetrees again. This game was about the kickers as 27 of the 32 points were off the tee. Saracens are top of the table and will be happy with that and could be there for a while to come. Gloucester will also be encourage as there start has been a lot more positive than first thought. Next up Gloucester host a West Country derby against Worcester and Saracens host Irish.

Sale Sharks 27 Worcester Warriors 13

This was an expected result but not an expected performance as Sale were definitely the better team. There were signs of the team that threatened the top six last year and Cipriani was pulled the strings again now that he had the ball to do so. Sale looked so much better than they did last week and will be relieved because they needed to step it up even though it was only game two. Warriors shouldn’t be to dis-hearted because AJ Bell stadium is know as a tough place to go and they did make sure they were counted even if they never really threaten the end result. However O’Callaghan is already proving his weight in gold and will be vital if they are to survive. Next week Sale have Saints coming to town while Warrior are back to their first West Country derby at Kingsholm against Gloucester.

Northampton Saints 42 Newcastle Falcons 16

The Saints needed a reaction after last week and they got it. They flew out of the blocks and even though the Falcons kept in touch for the first half the Saints powered to a bonus point win. The forwards seem to be the difference and turned the screw in the second half. Foden and Day’s brace’s as well Burrell getting a try, showed that there are good English players that didn’t get to the World Cup but making sure they are still on England’s radar. Falcons have a lot of work to do but they are still playing with ball and showing some impressive moments, this won’t however change that they are winless from the first 2 games. Next Saints go to Sale and Falcons already needing a win to steady them, host Chiefs

Wasps 16 Bath 9

Wasps have been pretty formidable at their new home and this game hasn’t changed that. Wasps were not necessarily in control until Matawalu held back Hughes and got sin binned as well as giving away a penalty try which changed the outcome. They played the most exciting rugby and looked like they was close to scoring on a couple of occasions. There home form is going to be very important this year as the Rioch is seeming like a fortress for them with their away form being so up and down for a few years now. Bath will look at this game as a missed opportunity and an opportunity they should have taken, especially if they are to challenge for the title. It is not doom and gloom for them yet as this is only the second game but to win the title you need to beat mid table teams and no offence to Wasps that is what they are. Next up for Wasps is a monster of a game as they go to Welford Road and for Bath a home game at the ever improving Harlequins.

Exeter Chiefs 38 London Irish 11

If you look at the stats of this game you would think that Exeter lost this match. This will be very worrying for Irish fans as they were taken apart but a fantastic Chiefs team. The Chiefs are looking very impressive and these 6 tries only add to that, Norwell getting two of them. This performance is only providing that they could be a very seriously be a top four team. Irish are already in danger at the foot of the table. This is not good and they need to kick the troubles straight away, unfortunately this is not going to happen next week as they face Saracens away. The Chiefs have a long trip up to the Falcons.

Leicester Tigers 22 Harlequins 19

Harlequins will be very disappointed to come away with only a bonus point loss. They were in this fight till the end and were even 4 points ahead with 25 minutes to go before Pearce went over to win it for the Tigers. Quins look like a much improved team and this is going to continue. They still have some of their England contingent to come back but in the meantime future England players like Clifford are taking advantage of their game time. Tigers are not seeming like the great team that they have been over the last decade or so, but then we rarely see their greatness before the run in to the playoffs. However they will still be pleased with the new signing of South Africa legend of Jean De Villiers who will only bolster their team. De Villiers and Tuilagi as a centre partnership will definitely be worth a watch. Next up Tigers host long time rivals Wasps and Quins go West to Bath.

My England 1st XV – Backs

Now onto the backs.

Scrum half

Ben Youngs proved himself at a time when 4-5 players were vying for this position. Youngs need to make sure he plays quick ball at the breakdowns and have an eye for gaps in the defence round the breakdown area. His delivery of the ball is the best at the moment. Back Up – Danny Care

Fly half

Well I know this is a big call but I would choose Owen Farrell. For me it’s simple and comes down to one word and that is defence. Farrell has amongst the best defence of an fly half in the world and at times is “Jonny-esk”. Farrell also has the better consistency kicking wise both at the posts and the corners. Lastly under pressure at the Aviva Premiership final Farrell was leagues better than Ford and has been in much bigger pressure situations than Ford. Back up – George Ford

Left Wing

With the wings I would have chosen both Ashton and Strettle with back up Yarde but none are in the squad any more I’m going with who is still in. I am worried about the wings. Johnny May is going to have to be one of them because of the change of pace that he is capable of. That pace we saw on many occasions in the Premiership and against the All Blacks last year but he needs to sort out his positioning in defence because teams will expose that. But Lancaster has said that May has stepped in up in the summering training. Back up – Marland Yarde

Inside Centre

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again defence. So Brad Barritt is the choice. He has put his body of the line for club and country so many times and in heroic incidents. He is the only man that I can see coping with, Roberts, Nonu, SBW etc. He is not bad with the ball in hands either and is perfectly capable of a crash ball himself. Back up – Billy Twelvetrees.

Outside Centre

Jonathan Joseph has taken hold of this position after finally been given the opportunity which we have screaming for, for years. He has made the fact that Tuilagi getting in trouble with the law less of a worry. Joesph has a way of finding space when there isn’t any. The lines he choose’s are 2nd to none and we will need them. Joseph is not well know on the international scene so could be key for England. Back up – Luther Burrell.

Right Wing

This wing is Jack Norwell. He has come on leaps and bounds since he first got the call up 18 months ago. I didn’t agree with it then but he has become a little devil for his opposition number as they can’t seem to get hold of him. He has also finally started to score try more regularly because he seems to pop up at the right place and the right time more, just like a winger should Back up – Antony Watson.

Full Back

The only backs player that is a given for all of us. Mike Brown has been the best full back in the country since he was given that role rather than on the wing. His last ditch defence is wonderful and his attacking support play has contributed to so many tries over the last few year. We need him to be fit for the whole tournament as the angry man is key. Back up Alex Goode.